SÃO PAULO, Brazil, MAY 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI called
for a strong defense of life during his flight to Brazil, while that
country's bishops reiterated their own condemnation of abortion.

The Holy Father called for a decisive defense of life on Wednesday
during a press conference with journalists flying with him on
Alitalia Flight 777 to Brazil.

At Wednesday morning's conclusion of the 45th General Assembly of
the National Brazilian Bishops Conference in Itaici, the prelates
expressed their shared concern to educate consciences and fight
abortion.

"The devaluation of human dignity and the lack of criteria based on
Gospel teachings are at the base of the belittling of human life,
which is fermenting the growth of violence in our country,” the
bishops said during a discussion on the political situation in
Brazil.

They added: "We renew our condemnation of all the attempts to
legalize abortion and the manipulation of human embryos for
therapeutic reasons. We must defend life from conception to its
natural end."